Wearable technology has been a bit of a novelty for many consumers, feeding the desire for the coolest, newest tech on the market. Sadly, this technology has often fallen short of most consumer expectations.
Luckily, wearable technology is making a bigger impact on a more distinct population: people living with disabilities. These companies have honed in on this field and are making a difference.
eSight
This Toronto-based startup focuses on improving low vision through the use of electronic glasses. Because most people with low vision still retain their peripheral vision, these electronic glasses are equipped with high definition cameras which capture images that are then beamed to the individual’s periphery.
Thus far, the response to eSight has been positive. Founder Conrad Lewis, who has suffered from vision loss himself, started the company in 2006. With a limited launch in 2013, eSight is preparing for a much larger rollout thanks to increased funding and support. They hope to achieve success in restoring vision for over three million people with low vision.
Ekso Bionics
Ekso Bionics produces bionic exoskeleton suits designed to assist paraplegics and stroke victims in regaining the ability to walk. The suits are built to absorb the user’s body weight, allowing muscles to be reactivated with minimal pain or discomfort.
What began as a project at the University of California at Berkeley over 20 years ago has come a long way. In its early stages, the suit was rather bulky and impractical in size. But with advanced technologies and the addition of Nathan Harding to the project in 2003, they were able to shrink the suits down to a feasible size and present their work to the market. The suits were named HULC (Human Universal Load Carrier) and sold to a U.S. military contractor. They were used to help troops comfortably carry 90kg of heavy gear.
When doctors presented the team with videos of paraplegic rehabilitation, Harding knew that their exoskeleton suits could make a difference. The shift toward medical and rehabilitative applications ensued and has proven a success as these systems are now used in over 100 rehabilitation centers around the world.
Neutun Labs
Another Toronto-based company, Neutun Labs championed the Neutun app, which utilizes the accelerometer in smartwatches to identify the shaking signals that often precede epileptic seizures. When the watch detects an oncoming seizure, an on-screen prompt appears. If, within a few seconds, no answer is received, notifications are sent out to preset contacts. Also, relevant health information is displayed for emergency responders.
The app is currently being offered for free on the Pebble smartwatches, with launches on the Apple Watch and Android Wear coming soon. As technologies and features advance, a monthly fee will eventually be put into place.
The cost of these technologies is definitely a topic of interest, as many individuals are living with disabilities. There are definitely buyers out there, however, the cost for production and relatively low demand leads to high prices. Finding a way to make these technologies more accessible to those who need it is the next hurdle for these companies.
What do you think of these specialized wearables and their impact on those with disabilities and our future? Share your thoughts with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, and Pinterest.
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Wearable technology has evolved right before our eyes. Our childhood experiences vary drastically from the children growing up today. As we hone our technology and the Internet of Things, we are subsequently changing the learning environment for our children.
Wearable technology can and will have a positive and enriching impact on the classroom, namely, field trips. In the early stages, wearable tech will enhance the experience, allowing for students to more actively engage in the learning experience. As wearable tech advances, data gathered from field trips will be easier to record, consume, and share across various networks. Eventually students from around the world could potentially be sharing learning experiences and helping each other.
For in-person field trips, students will soon be able to scan QR codes or capture images to find out more information, whether it is in the form of text, video or audio. Enabling students to do so will encourage participation and the first-hand interaction will help them better understand the learning objectives.
After the field trip, rather than a simple discussion, students can take photos or record audio and video to bring back to the classroom. They can share their experiences with peers within the classroom, and even through social media. This will enable lessons and information to reach students across the world.
Virtual reality can take field trips to a whole new level. Students will be able to enjoy and experience things we never thought possible. In lieu of in person field trips, virtual reality headsets could bring the experience to the classroom. Students would be able to virtually explore the Grand Canyon, Ancient Greece, and the depths of the ocean, all in one day and without leaving school. This advanced tech helps kids tap into their imaginative and creative side while teaching students great interpersonal skills.
Such an immersive learning environment is promising for young students. This will hopefully encourage students to be more involved in the curriculum, and persuade students to continue their education into college and graduate school. Knowledge is power, and with new technology, this power is strengthened.
What are your thoughts on wearable technology and its impact on school and education? Do you have young children in school who use some of this technology? How has it helped your children? We would love to hear from you. Connect with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, and Pinterest!
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Our fascination with innovative technology and gadgets has helped to propel the progression of wearable technology. From smart watches to fitness trackers to Google glass, wearable tech appeals to nearly every demographic. As we further develop these devices and their capacities, and more and more people adopt these gadgets, soon enough, we may all be smartly connected to each other.
Wearable technology can collect an endless amount of information. Whether for work, transportation, health, or the real world, the information can be easily transmitted to other devices. Most of this technology is incorporated into our lives already, but our interactions from day to day can be dramatically altered with further advancement.
Augmented & Virtual Reality
Augmented reality is like experiencing a digital environment within the real world, comparable to Google Glass and likewise devices. Virtual reality, commonly used in gaming, allows a person to be involved in an alternate environment. If implemented into the workplace, for example, an alternate workspace environment could be created, eliminating the need for a physical workspace. This could possibly cut back on commutes and allow for remote workers all around. In the case of schools, classrooms could be replaced with virtual classrooms. With the right devices, we could provide education to students around the world.
Field & Office Work
When out doing field work, you may have to report into your main office when you begin and end your day. Wearable technology, such as a wearable camera, could enable immediate reporting, transmitting pertinent data and footage straight back to the office. Without having to worry about taking notes and reporting back, workers could be more engaged and present in the interaction, potentially providing better, more effective meetings.
Vehicles & Pedestrian Safety
Enabling communication between cars, bikes, motorcycles and pedestrians could decrease the number of accidents. Some smart cars already possess sensors which detect and warn drivers when there are vehicles in their blind spot, and some cars even brake automatically when sensing decreased speeds ahead. For cyclists, this technology could possibly save lives. The wearable devices could warn both individuals that paths may cross and they can avoid an incident.
It’s obvious that this technology could offer numerous improvements, but what are the implications? Would we become completely dependent on our devices? If you own any wearable devices, or are considering investing in any, we would love to hear from you. Share your insight on this topic with us and your peers. Join us on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, and Pinterest.
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